ATSAMA5D23A-CNR - 500MHz Cortex-A5 MPU, 196-TFBGA | Microchip
MPN: ATSAMA5D23A-CNR ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $18.5 | $18.50 |
| 10 | $16.95 | $169.50 |
| 100 | $14.8 | $1,480.00 |
| 500 | $12.75 | $6,375.00 |
| 1,000 | $11.2 | $11,200.00 |
ATSAMA5D23A-CNR Overview
What is a microprocessor unit (MPU)? An MPU is an integrated circuit containing a complete CPU core, cache hierarchy, memory management unit, and a wide peripheral set, intended to run a full operating system such as Linux or RTOS rather than bare-metal firmware. Within the system hierarchy, the ATSAMA5D23A sits above microcontrollers (MCU) which typically lack MMU and external memory bus, and below application processors with multi-core clusters. The SAMA5D2 series (MPU -> application processor -> embedded SoC -> semiconductor) is Microchip's mainstream Cortex-A5 line for industrial HMI, IoT gateways, and connected devices.
Key features include hardware cryptography (AES, True Random Number Generator, secure boot), CAN-FD, HSIC, PTC (Peripheral Touch Controller), and a 24-bit LCD controller with resolutions up to WXGA (1280x768). On-chip peripherals cover USB 2.0 high-speed host and device, 10/100 Ethernet MAC, image sensor interface (ISI), and multiple UART/SPI/TWI/I²S controllers, allowing direct connection to displays, sensors, and wired networking without external bridges.
Architecturally, the SAMA5D23A uses a 32-bit ARMv7-A Cortex-A5 core with NEON and FPU, fabricated in a low-power process. The 196-TFBGA package with 0.8 mm ball pitch and 11x11 mm body suits 4-layer to 6-layer PCB stack-ups typical of industrial control boards. Power management is simplified by integrated LDO regulators and a PMC (Power Management Controller) with multiple low-power modes including ULP0 (0.5 mA typical) for battery-backed IoT nodes.
Typical applications include industrial human-machine interfaces (HMI), building automation controllers, smart energy gateways, point-of-sale terminals, and medical patient-monitoring displays. The combination of extended temperature grade, integrated LCD controller, and rich connectivity makes the part especially attractive for fanless, panel-mounted equipment.
When designing with this MPU, allocate at least four PCB layers for the DDR2/LPDDR memory interface to maintain signal integrity on the 16-bit data bus. The exposed-die TFBGA requires controlled-impedance escape routing and an accurate length-matching strategy on the byte lanes; design rule checking against the Microchip SAMA5D2 hardware design guidelines is strongly recommended.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing for the ATSAMA5D23A-CNR, parametric comparison against same-family SAMA5D2 drop-in alternatives, and engineering design notes that are not duplicated on the manufacturer datasheet landing page.
Drop-in alternatives for ATSAMA5D23A-CNR — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with ATSAMA5D23A-CNR (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Ethernet, Operating Temperature, USB, CAN.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATSAMA5D22A-CNR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$10.8 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D27A-CNR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$10.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D24A-CNR
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATSAMA5D23A-CN
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$9.15 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D26A-CNR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$10.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →ATSAMA5D23A-CNR Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | ARM Cortex-A5 (32-bit RISC) |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 500 MHz |
| Core Count | 1 |
| L1 Instruction Cache | 32 Kbytes |
| L1 Data Cache | 32 Kbytes |
| Internal SRAM | 128 Kbytes |
| NEON Coprocessor | Yes |
| Hardware FPU | Yes (VFPv4) |
| External Memory Bus | 16-bit DDR2/LPDDR/DDR3 |
| Package | 196-TFBGA (11x11 mm, 0.8 mm pitch) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +105 °C (extended industrial) |
| Supply Voltage | 1.2 V (core), 1.8 V/3.3 V (I/O) |
| Peripheral Touch Controller (PTC) | Yes |
| CAN Controller | CAN-FD |
| USB | USB 2.0 High-Speed Host + Device |
| Ethernet | 10/100 MAC (GMII/RMII/MII) |
| LCD Controller | 24-bit, up to WXGA (1280x768) |
| Image Sensor Interface (ISI) | Yes (12-bit, up to 35 MPixel/s) |
| Crypto Engine | AES, TRNG, secure boot, OTFA |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
ATSAMA5D23A-CNR Pin Configuration
| Pin A1 | DDR_DQS — DDR data strobe (byte lane 0) |
| Pin A11 | VDDANA — Analog supply voltage |
| Pin B5 | DDR_DQM — DDR data mask |
| Pin C7 | GPIO_PC9 — General-purpose I/O / peripheral function |
| Pin D3 | DDRA0 — DDR address bit A0 |
| Pin E14 | VCCCORE — 1.2 V core supply |
| Pin F1 | TCK — JTAG test clock |
| Pin G11 | TMS — JTAG test mode select |
| Pin H7 | TDI — JTAG test data in |
| Pin J3 | TDO — JTAG test data out |
| Pin K9 | NRST — Active-low reset input |
| Pin L12 | XIN — 12 MHz crystal oscillator input |
| Pin M5 | XOUT — 12 MHz crystal oscillator output |
| Pin N14 | VCCIO — I/O supply voltage (1.8 V or 3.3 V) |
| Pin P1 | GND — Ground reference |
| Pin P11 | GND — Ground reference |
Typical Applications
ATSAMA5D23A-CNR is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial Human-Machine Interface (HMI), IoT Gateway and Edge Connectivity, Building Automation Controller, Point-of-Sale (POS) Terminal, Medical Patient Monitoring Display, Smart Energy Gateway, Connected Industrial Printer.
Industrial Human-Machine Interface (HMI)
The ATSAMA5D23A-CNR's integrated 24-bit LCD controller supporting resolutions up to WXGA (1280x768), combined with the 500 MHz Cortex-A5 core and NEON engine, makes it ideal for industrial HMI panels driving 7-inch to 10-inch TFT displays. The part's extended temperature grade (-40 °C to +105 °C) suits fanless panel-mount enclosures, while the DDR2/LPDDR memory controller provides the bandwidth required for smooth Qt/Embedded or LVDS-fed graphical user interfaces. Place the MPU adjacent to the display connector with short matched-length LVDS traces and provide a dedicated 3.3 V LDO for the LCD backlight driver. Compared with discrete LCD controller + MCU solutions, the ATSAMA5D23A-CNR reduces BOM count by integrating touch (PTC), Ethernet, and USB in a single chip. Recommended companion parts include the ISD9160 audio codec for buzzer feedback and the MIC4605 MOSFET driver for backlight boost.
Recommended
IoT Gateway and Edge Connectivity
The ATSAMA5D23A-CNR supports a full Linux BSP with networking stacks, making it well-suited for IoT gateways that aggregate sensor data over RS-485, CAN, or Ethernet and forward it to the cloud. The CAN-FD controller, 10/100 Ethernet MAC, and multiple UART/SPI/TWI controllers handle industrial protocols (Modbus, CANopen, MQTT) without external bridges. The hardware AES engine and TRNG enable secure TLS sessions with low CPU overhead, freeing the Cortex-A5 core for edge analytics. Route the DDR traces on inner layers with controlled impedance (50 ohm single-ended), and place a ferrite bead on the 1.2 V core supply to suppress switching noise. Recommended companion parts include the W25Q256JV SPI flash for filesystem storage and the KSZ8081 Ethernet PHY for cable diagnostics.
Recommended
Building Automation Controller
For building-automation applications such as BACnet gateways, HVAC controllers, and access-control panels, the ATSAMA5D23A-CNR provides the processing headroom to run a real-time Linux stack alongside Modbus, BACnet/IP, and KNX protocol stacks. The 128 Kbytes of on-chip SRAM accelerates interrupt response times, and the integrated crypto engine secures over-the-air firmware updates. The wide operating temperature range allows direct deployment in unventilated electrical closets. Use a 6-layer PCB stack-up to maintain signal integrity on the DDR2 data bus, and isolate the RS-485 transceivers with TVS diodes for surge protection. Recommended companion parts include the MAX3485 RS-485 transceiver and the ATECC608B secure element for key storage.
Recommended
Point-of-Sale (POS) Terminal
The ATSAMA5D23A-CNR's combination of LCD controller, image sensor interface, USB 2.0 High-Speed host+device, and 10/100 Ethernet makes it a strong fit for integrated POS terminals combining a customer-facing display, barcode imager, NFC reader, and receipt printer. The NEON engine accelerates JPEG decoding for on-screen product imagery, while the secure boot and TRNG support PCI-PTS hardware requirements. The 196-TFBGA package (11x11 mm) leaves enough PCB real estate for additional peripherals such as a contactless NFC frontend. Add a small coin-cell backup for the RTC, and route the USB D+/D- lines as a 90 ohm differential pair. Recommended companion parts include the PN5180 NFC frontend and the FT232HL USB bridge for diagnostic ports.
Recommended
Medical Patient Monitoring Display
The ATSAMA5D23A-CNR's extended industrial temperature range and high-resolution LCD controller suit secondary patient-monitoring displays that aggregate SpO2, ECG, and temperature data from bedside sensors. The Cortex-A5 core runs a secure Linux distribution with full process isolation, and the AES hardware engine encrypts patient data at rest. The CAN-FD controller links the display to the central patient monitor over a robust differential bus. Implement a hardware watchdog (enabled by default in Microchip's BSP) to recover from software faults, and add opto-isolation on any patient-connected analog front-end. Recommended companion parts include the MCP4725 DAC for calibration tones and the ADM3251E isolated RS-232 transceiver for service-port diagnostics.
Recommended
Smart Energy Gateway
For smart-meter concentrators and sub-station gateways, the ATSAMA5D23A-CNR's combination of hardware crypto (AES-OTF on external memory, TRNG), 10/100 Ethernet, and CAN-FD interfaces supports secure aggregation of DLMS/COSEM or IEC 61850 traffic from field devices. The Cortex-A5 core runs metering protocol stacks and forwards data to head-end systems over TLS-secured MQTT. The DDR3 controller with ECC (where supported by the part revision) maintains data integrity in noisy substation environments. Provide a TVS diode array on the RS-485 lines and a common-mode choke on the Ethernet signal pair. Recommended companion parts include the MAX22505 isolated RS-485 transceiver and the ADE9000 polyphase energy metering IC.
Recommended
Connected Industrial Printer
The ATSAMA5D23A-CNR is well-suited to industrial label and barcode printers that require a Linux-driven controller with USB host, Ethernet, and a parallel interface for the print mechanism. The integrated LCD controller can drive a small status display alongside the main print job, and the NEON engine speeds up on-the-fly barcode rasterization at 300-600 DPI. The HSIC port allows connection to a USB-to-Wi-Fi module for wireless commissioning. Place the print-head driver circuitry on a separate ground island and isolate it from the digital 3.3 V supply. Recommended companion parts include the AP62300 buck regulator for the print-head power rail and the W25Q64JV SPI flash for font and firmware storage.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATSAMA5D23A-CNR — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATSAMA5D22A-CNR | ATSAMA5D27A-CNR | ATSAMA5D24A-CNR | ATSAMA5D26A-CNR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 196-TFBGA (11x11 mm) | 196-TFBGA (11x11 mm) - same | 196-TFBGA (11x11 mm) - same | 196-TFBGA (11x11 mm) - same | 196-TFBGA (11x11 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| CPU Core | ARM Cortex-A5 500 MHz | ARM Cortex-A5 500 MHz | ARM Cortex-A5 500 MHz | ARM Cortex-A5 500 MHz | ARM Cortex-A5 500 MHz |
| NEON Coprocessor | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| L2 Cache | None | None | 128 Kbytes | None | None |
| Internal SRAM | 128 Kbytes | 128 Kbytes | 128 Kbytes | 128 Kbytes | 128 Kbytes |
| CAN-FD | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ethernet | 10/100 single MAC | 10/100 single MAC | 10/100 single MAC | Dual 10/100 MAC | 10/100 single MAC |
| AES-OTFA on External Memory | No | No | Yes | No | No |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated NEON coprocessor for media acceleration (vs ATSAMA5D22A-CNR)
- Lower cost than D27 with comparable performance for non-crypto workloads (vs ATSAMA5D27A-CNR)
- Industrial-grade extended temperature range in same package (vs ATSAMA5D21B-CU)
Design Notes
Use a 4-layer PCB stack-up (signal/ground/power/signal) with the 196-TFBGA fanout routed on the top layer and via-in-pad escape for inner rows. Maintain 50 ohm single-ended impedance on the DDR2/LPDDR traces and 90 ohm differential on the USB D+/D- pairs. The DDR clock must be length-matched to the byte-lane strobes within +/- 25 mil to preserve setup/hold margin. Reference the Microchip SAMA5D2 hardware design guidelines, application note AN00034, for the recommended stack-up, decoupling, and length-matching tolerances.
The 196-TFBGA package dissipates up to 1.5 W under full load (500 MHz, both Ethernet and USB active). On a 4-layer JEDEC EIA/JESD51 test board, theta_JA is approximately 25 °C/W. For ambient temperatures above 70 °C, provide a copper pour directly under the exposed die area and stitch thermal vias (0.3 mm drill, 0.5 mm pitch) to the inner ground plane. The junction temperature must remain below 125 °C under all operating conditions per the Microchip datasheet. Estimated: at 1.5 W dissipation and 25 °C/W theta_JA, junction rises 37.5 °C above ambient.
Provide separate LDOs for VCCCORE (1.2 V, 500 mA peak), VCCIO (1.8 V or 3.3 V, configurable), and VDDANA (1.2 V, low-noise for the analog PLLs). Use a 10 uF ceramic plus 100 nF decoupling pair at each supply ball, placed within 2 mm of the package. Sequence VCCCORE first, followed by VCCIO, then VDDANA, using the built-in Power Management Controller (PMC) and SHDN pins to enforce the correct power-up order. A common pitfall is to back-power the part through the USB VBUS rail, which can cause latch-up; always disable USB PHY until VCCIO is stable.
Do not connect the DDR2 reference voltage VTT to a standard LDO; use a dedicated VTT termination regulator capable of sourcing and sinking current (e.g., a Micrel MIC5165 or equivalent). The HSIC interface requires a 50 MHz reference clock; do not source it from the main oscillator without a dedicated buffer. For Linux boot, ensure the BMS (Boot Mode Select) pins are pulled correctly for the desired boot source (SPI flash, SD card, NAND, or QSPI). Finally, avoid placing the part near switching regulators on the PCB - the 12 MHz oscillator and DDR clock are sensitive to power-rail noise above 100 mV peak-to-peak.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. The ATSAMA5D23A-CNR is industrial-grade (extended temperature), not AEC-Q100 automotive qualified; for automotive applications use the ATSAMA5D27C-CNVAO or consult Microchip automotive portfolio.
